- published: 17 Feb 2015
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Geats (Old English geatas, [ˈjæɑ̯tɑs]; Old Norse gautar [ˈɡɑu̯tɑr]; Swedish götar, [ˈjøːtar]), and sometimes Goths) were a North Germanic tribe inhabiting what is now Götaland ("land of the Geats") in modern Sweden. The name of the Geats also lives on in the Swedish provinces of Västergötland and Östergötland, the Western and Eastern lands of the Geats, and in many other toponyms.
The earliest mention of the Geats may appear in Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.), where they are referred to as Goutai. In the 6th century, they were referred to as Gautigoths and Ostrogoths (the Ostrogoths of Scandza) by Jordanes and as Gautoi by Procopius. In the Norse Sagas they are referred to as Gautar, and in Beowulf and Widsith as Gēatas. Geats should not be confused with the Thracian Getae, a connection long made by some, such as the authors of the medieval Swedish Chronicle or early-modern Swedish historian Carolus Lundius.
The tribal name Geat (from the Proto-Germanic *Gautaz, plural *Gautōz) is related, although not identical, to the etymology of the name tribal Goth (*Gutaniz) and they are both derived (specifically they are two ablaut grades) from the Proto-Germanic word *geutan, meaning "to pour". This means according to the mainly accepted etymology "men", a heiti of the men in the tribe, see further in Goths (etymology). It could also allude to watercourses in the land where they were living.
If you hear her cry at night
Better turn on your light
Maybe your baby's got the blues
When she says there's nothing wrong
She just wants to be alone
You can bet your babys got the blues
(Chorus)
Women Like men to make the first move
And touch her like he used to
When there's achin' in her heart
Only tenderness can find
Women like men to make them feel alive
And keep her apron strings untied
Yes women like men
To love them through the blues sometime
When her days all run the same
And she says she thinks she needs a change
Maybe your baby's got the blues
If she says she's just a wife
And so far from the glamorous life
You can bet your baby's got the blues
(Repeat Chorus)
Yes women like men